Sahaja Yamalapalli, the talented Indian tennis player, has etched her name in history as the third Indian woman to clinch a professional title in the United States. Her remarkable achievement came at the ITF W15 Los Angeles tournament, where she displayed exceptional skill and determination.
Throughout the tournament, Sahaja demonstrated her prowess on the court. Notably, she didn’t drop a single set en route to her title, showcasing her consistency and mental fortitude.
Sahaja Yamalapalli’s campaign at ITF W15
In the championship match, Sahaja faced off against former Michigan Wolverine, Amy Zhu. The intense battle ended with a scoreline of 6-4, 7-6 (4) in Sahaja’s favour, securing her fourth career ITF World Tour singles title.
In her victory speech, Sahaja expressed heartfelt gratitude to those who supported her during the week. She acknowledged the efforts of the Kramer Club GM Peter Smith, ball kids, sponsors, and organizers at the USTA Southern California. Sahaja’s journey was shaped by her coaches at Sam Houston State University, where she became a decorated college player. Her passion for learning and hard work paved the way for success.
Sahaja becomes the 3rd Indian Woman ever to win a pro title in USA
The list is below:
1. Sania Mirza (W15 Boca Raton, 2004)
2. Karman Thandi (W60 Evansville, 2023)
3. Sahaja Yamalapalli (W15 Los Angeles, 2024)Sahaja won the title without dropping a set. In the semis, she… pic.twitter.com/xA9w5swmDg
— Indian Tennis Daily (ITD) (@IndTennisDaily) July 1, 2024
Sahaja hails from the same region as the legendary Sania Mirza, who broke barriers in Indian tennis. Mirza’s achievements inspired Sahaja, especially as the only Indian woman to win a WTA Tour title and be ranked within the top 100 in singles. Sahaja’s dedication and persistence mirror the trailblazing spirit of her idol.
Sahaja splits her training between Asia and Bradenton, Florida. Her commitment to honing her skills has paid off, and her recent victory in Los Angeles adds another chapter to her promising career.
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